Toupee



May '11 1926.

R. S. CONLEY- TOUPBE Filed Jupe 1s Patented May 11, 1926.

UNITED T TES in 1,583,778 PATENT omen;

v noBER'r is. corner, or cmcaeo; ILLINOIS.

mourns;

Application filed June 13, 1925. s na1 No, 36,818.

This invention relates to improvements in toupees, wigs and the like, and, has for its principal object to pro'vide'a ne'w and improved device of the character described. More especially, the object of the invention is to provide an improved construction including a frame to replace the strip of hair- ,lace now commonly used atthe parting'line of toupees, whereby the. hair along the parting line may be arrangedto closely resemble the natural appearance of a full head of hair. Other objects of the invention willappear from time to time as the description progresses. '7 i The invention may best'be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the new form in which 'itmaybe embodied.

Figure 1 is a view showing a toupee constructed in accordance with my invention and placed in position on a wearer;

Figure 2 is a top view of a toupee with the hair removed to show the application thereto of my improved form of parting frame;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the parting frame itself as used in the device shown in Figure 2; and

Figure t is an enlarged section taken on line 4.4= of Figure 2.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, it will be seen that my invention con-' sists primarily of the provision of a semiflexible parting frame 10, which is preferably made of a light metal, such as sheet aluminum, capable of being readily bent, but having a tendency to retain its shape in any position of longitudinal curvature as desired for the purpose to which it is adapted. This frame member 10 comprises two arms 11 and 12, joined together at their rear ends, as shown, but spaced apart a short distance throughout their lengthto form a slot 13. The forward ends 11 and 12 are curved away from each other, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. This frame forms a part of the fabric foundation 15, being secured thereinbyany suitable means, as shown for instance, in the cross-section in Figure at. The two arms 11 and 12 are preferably covered by suitable fabric pieces or tapes 16 extending beyond the ends of said frame around the outer edge of the foundation. The hair is ventilated in the gauze or netting 17 extending on opposite sides of the'frame member 10; this gauze preferably extending over and slightly beneath thejmeeting edges of the arms 11 and 12, along the slot 13, as clearly shown in Figure 4:. 7 With this rangement it will'b'e observed that the hairs 18'18 attached to or ventilated in the gauze 17 may beb'rought upwardly throughithe slot 13 so as to extend substantially in a vertical direction as they passbetween the meeting edges of said slot.

; 'The use of my improved form of parting frame in connection with toupees, w gs, or

the like, will now be understood. Theslot 13 extending .rearwardly. in thefoundation or the'toupee as far as desirable, anopenpart is readily simulated, thus: eliminating the use of a hair lace or gauze or "similar material at th'islpoint, as heretofore utilized. Said frame is strong enough to retain its shape as to the initial width of the parting slot, and is also sufficiently flexible to be shaped to be readily conformed to the head of the wearer, and therefore assist in holding the toupee foundation to its proper shape. By reason of the arrangement of the hairs 1818 attached to the gauze 17, extending over adjacent edges of the slot, the hairs assume a vertical position as they pass upward through the slot so as to simulate a natural growth of hair along the part and even permit a view of the natural scalp along this part. I have demonstrated that this arrangement produces a far more natural appearance than the ordinary formof hair-lace part inwhich the hear-lace itself, extending across the part, is usually visible even in toupees of the best workmanship. Furthermore, the hairs along the forward margins of the curved portions 11 and 12 may be arranged in a like manner to simulate a natural V-shaped or open part at the front of the toupee which is practically impossible to simulate with hair-lace inserts of the usual form.

My improved frame is adapted also for use in connection with wigs, transformations, and other manufactured hair goods, being more durable, economical and labor saving than other devices used for similar purposes. I 1

While I have illustrated and described one particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and discribed, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A partingframe for manufactured hair goods comprising a semi-rigid, semi-flexible rigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination with a foundation, a semi rigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other and connected at adjacent ends thereof.

4:. In a deviceof the character described, in combination with a foundation, a semirigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other, the forward ends of said arms being curved away from each other.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination with a foundation, a semirigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other, the forward ends of said arms being curved away from each other and connected with the forward margin of said foundation.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination with a foundation, a sem1- rigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other, hair-bearing fabric extending over and downwardly between adjacent margins of said spaced arms, some of said hairs on said fabric passing upwardly between said arms to form a part.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination with a foundation, a semirigid frame member comprising two arms in spaced parallel relation with each other, the forward ends of said arms being curved away from each other and connected with the forward margin of said foundation, and hair-bearing fabric extending over the lateral'margins of said forward ends with some of the hair thereon passing upwardly over the margins of said ends.

Signed at Chicago, Ill, this 29th day of May, 1925.

ROBERT S. CONLEY. 

